WASHINGTON: China could play a "helpful role" in convincing Pakistan that it is in its national interest to crackdown on terror safe havens, a senior White House official has said.The official said China shares some of the concerns of the US about the terror issue in Pakistan and Washington is seeking to work with Beijing and other regional players to convince Islamabad about the need to crackdown on terror groups.The official said that dismantling terrorist safe havens in Pakistan is key to bring stability in Afghanistan and in the region. "Pakistan already has deep historical ties with China going back to many years and they have close military ties. The economic relationship is also growing due to China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)," the senior administration official said on condition of anonymity. The US is seeking to work with other regional players and China would be one of the main ones to deal with this issue. But what we have seen is an interest by Pakistan in having a strong relationship with both the US and China.

Source: Economic Times January 07, 2018 07:18 UTC